Morocco Semester

Ancient Cities to the Atlas Mountains

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Duration

Description

From forested mountains to the Sahara desert, study the languages, faiths, and diversity of culture that make up the western-most outpost of the Arab world.

Spring Dates

Feb 7 - May 1, 2020

Spring Availability

open

Fall Dates

Sep 15 - Dec 6, 2019

Fall Availability

one space

Number of Participants

12

Suggested Ages

17-22

Spring Begins In

21 Weeks

Fall Begins In

0Days

Land Cost

$14,810

Estimated Flight Cost

$1,650

marrakesh

Fes

High Atlas Mountains

casablanca

Essaouira

Valley of the Roses

Azrou

Program Overview

ISLAMIC ART AND DIVERSE TRADITIONS COMBINE IN THE ENCHANTING CITIES WHOSE VERY NAMES STRIKE COLORFUL CHORDS IN THE IMAGINATION: CASABLANCA, MARRAKESH, AND FES.

Within and beyond the city walls, we explore incredible sites, tastes, and experiences, accessible only to the intrepid traveler fueled by a curious spirit.

For 12,000 years Morocco’s indigenous people, the Berber or Amazigh (“Free People”) have lived in the northern corner of Africa where snow-capped mountains explode out of the Sahara Desert. To this day, the stone and mud huts of the Amazigh nest tightly against the jagged Atlas Mountains. From the forested mountains of the north to the stark landscape of the south, we travel through the most ecologically diverse country in North Africa. Buses and pack animals help us wind through the great diversity of people who make up Morocco: youth and elders, urban and rural dwellers, Arabs and indigenous tribes, farmers and academics. Through rugged travel and authentic interactions, we examine the dominate issues of this diverse society standing at the crossroads of Middle Eastern, African, and European cultures.

We stay with urban…

Within and beyond the city walls, we explore incredible sites, tastes, and experiences, accessible only to the intrepid traveler fueled by a curious spirit.

For 12,000 years Morocco’s indigenous people, the Berber or Amazigh (“Free People”) have lived in the northern corner of Africa where snow-capped mountains explode out of the Sahara Desert. To this day, the stone and mud huts of the Amazigh nest tightly against the jagged Atlas Mountains. From the forested mountains of the north to the stark landscape of the south, we travel through the most ecologically diverse country in North Africa. Buses and pack animals help us wind through the great diversity of people who make up Morocco: youth and elders, urban and rural dwellers, Arabs and indigenous tribes, farmers and academics. Through rugged travel and authentic interactions, we examine the dominate issues of this diverse society standing at the crossroads of Middle Eastern, African, and European cultures.

We stay with urban families in cool cinder-block buildings and indigenous families in warm mud-homes, we help host communities with daily activities, travel through striking natural settings, and walk through an endless series of canyons in search of the opportunity to camp alongside nomadic families. Our time in urban environments and remote villages immerses us in Morocco’s unrivaled hospitality, as people welcome us as kin and our cups are never left wanting for sweet mint tea. In a world where understanding Islam becomes increasingly relevant, we are given the unique opportunity to explore philosophical and political Islam, as well as Morocco’s progressive approaches to gender issues and the country’s ethnic diversity.

Flexibility is the modus operandi in Morocco, where transportation is often late, goods are fiercely bargained for, and a simple tea invitation can turn into a day-long interaction. We cast aside expectations while we use newly acquired language and cultural skills to navigate constantly changing situations.

Our journey will allow us to compare the vastly different rural and urban Moroccan lifestyles, as well as see first-hand the varying degrees to which history and religion impact daily duties, culture, and understanding of the world beyond Morocco. In the western-most outpost of the Arab world, we find a place with deep indigenous roots where we explore a culture which will embrace us at every opportunity with its famed hospitality and kindness.

Program Components

5/5

Comparative Religion

Explore the culture and practices which surround Islam in Morocco. Learn about historical and contemporary perspectives on faith through local visits, guest speakers, and daily observations. Investigate the role of women in Islam, the history of Judaism in the country, and how religion impacts every-day life in different parts of the country.

3/5

Development Studies

Learn about the Moroccan monarchy, explore Morocco's progressive legislation aimed at improving the lives of women, and investigate the issues of water management and land-use. Through first-hand observations, observe the effects of tourism and the disparity between development in different areas of the country.

5/5

Focus Of Inquiry

Examine the vast differences between rural and urban Moroccan lives, as well as see first-hand the varying degrees to which religion and limited resources impacts daily duties, economy, education, and local culture.

4/5

Homestay

Spend several weeks living with a family in a semi-urban environment in the north of the country and 1-2 weeks in a rural homestay where the mountains meet the desert in the south of Morocco. During treks, camp alongside nomadic families who make their home in the High Atlas Mountains. Possible additional group homestays throughout the program.

Language Study

Study Moroccan colloquial Arabic through regular lessons which focus on developing key communication abilities. Learn to write the Arabic alphabet and use your time in Morocco to develop rare Arabic language skills. Spend time also exploring one of the dialects of the indigenous Berber (Amazigh) language.

2/5

Learning Service

Learn directly from local community association members and see how they identify and carry out projects to improve the opportunities of local youth, artisans, or women.

3/5

Rugged Travel

Travel by shared van, bus, train, and the ubiquitous “grand taxi” through a country the size of California. Trek and camp in remote areas in High Atlas mountain villages and stay in homestays with limited amenities.

3/5

Trekking

Spend around 10 days trekking in the remote High Atlas and Middle Atlas Mountains which are home to numerous different tribes. Explore the remote nomadic region of the Imilchil Lakes before you begin a traverse of the M'Goun Massif in the central High Atlas Mountains. Participate in day-hikes in the Fez or Marrakesh region as well, exploring the foothills of the High Atlas or the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas.

Photo Gallery

Click on the gallery below to browse photos, videos and quotes from our participants and instructors.

Testimonials

The most enjoyable activity was the time spent with my younger sister at my rural homestay. She taught me to read Arabic, and I taught her some English and the bonding was powerful.

Anna Klink

Morocco Summer Program

I learned the most during the Sala homestay; I learned so much about Moroccan culture, religion, and tolerance from my family. They also helped me to vastly improve my Arabic vocabulary.

Alex Ding Morocco Summer Program

The rural homestay taught me the most. I learned so much in terms of spoken and comprehensive language, Moroccan culture and way of life, and friendship and hospitality. I also learned a lot about myself, as I was surprised I was able to thrive so well in an environment I never could have imagined myself being in.

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A Closer Look

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He was inspired by the lives of the instructors, wants to continue Arabic, and feels increased passion about Middle East Studies.

Jonah learned so much about the country and culture. He loved his host families and the other participants. He was inspired by the lives of the instructors, wants to continue Arabic, and feels increased passion about Middle East Studies.

Melissa Anderson Parent of a Morocco Student

Home in the Mountains

I had never set foot in a car like the one that took me into the mountains, but it took me to a place that felt like home. The air ran cool through the cranked down windows and helped subside the otherwise uncomfortably warm air that was occupying the car. We wove our way through narrow roads, fading from pavement to mud to dirt and rock. We passed by scores of children, some playing soccer while others peered out of tents shyly watching our passing car. Upon our arrival to the home in the mountains we were greeted by sheep, donkeys, cats and dogs, as well as two of my host sister Nadia’s sisters and a brother. There wasn’t one house there as I expected, but at least a dozen structures all around made of white and mint and roofed with wood.

Nadia and I roamed aimlessly around the woods as the sky grew grey, and soon thunder shattered the comfortable silence. The rain came unceasingly, paired with the wind and thunder it created the perfect storm; the kind that makes you feel alive. We walked through the rain past trees and shades of green who’s appearance surprised me. I had the preconception that Morocco was filled only with sand and coastline. We met another brother, a photographer, who took us to a viewpoint of Azrou. The mountains surrounded hundreds of tiny houses, each a different color or shade creating a microscopic kaleidoscope.

It was the first time I had felt the cold air in Morocco, and I was thankful for the silence that accompanied it. When we returned to the houses warm hospitality greeted us, helping thaw my bones from the icy wind. I had never seen a cup of tea presented more beautifully, poured into delicate gold cups from towering heights, each cup in a silent competition from the last for the increased presence of bubbles.

The time had seamlessly blended into itself since our arrival into the mountains. I am learning not to trust the lightness of the sky as it is extremely deceiving and had once again led me to believe that it was hours earlier. The loss or ignorance of time fascinates me, and it’s hard to figure out how an omnipresent and controlling force exists so strongly in one part of the world but not another. The ground cracked softly beneath our feet as we made our way to a field. Soon the sheep came, closely following another one of Nadia’s brothers. I approached timidly and was met by curiosity and fear. We followed the sheep for almost an hour, sitting occasionally and listening to more of the blissful silence that was this very time and place in the world.

We made our way back up the hill, collecting sticks and twigs that a fire later hungrily consumed. The fire quickly became more than just a source of heat, warming another kettle full of tea. The tea ran warm as the smoke seeped into my clothes and skin surely to remain there for the rest of the trip. Listening to the hum of crickets and the wind through the trees I was filled with a profound happiness and sadness; happy as this was one of my favorite days that I had lived, and sad as I knew that I would never be in this beautiful place again surrounded by such beautiful people.